Articles from August 2018

The 2017-2018 yearbooks are here! Yearbooks will be available to pick up on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of next week in the main lobby before school, during both lunches, and after school. If you did not purchase one yet, there are still books available to purchase for $55. Cash or check is accepted.

PSAT/NMSQT

Sign-up for the PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) test September 4th – 7th with Mrs. Evans in Student Services. Cost for the test is $16, checks only please, made payable to Ames High School. Juniors are reminded that this is the qualifying test for National Merit. The test will be given at Ames High on Wednesday, October 10th. NOTE: THIS TEST WILL BEGIN AT 8:30 AM (45 MINUTES BEFORE WEDNESDAY’S 1ST PERIOD). ‪Top sophomores are encouraged to take the test as a practice for next year. Junior year is when the test counts concerning National Merit.‬

DROPPING A CLASS

The last day to drop an extra class without consequences is Wednesday, September 12th. Please contact your counselor in student services.

2018 HOMECOMING

Mark your calendar for the week of Sept. 10-14 for Homecoming 2018 “Beach Bash”. Monday’s Parade downtown at 6:30 PM will kick off the week. Watch for more details in next Friday’s email.

COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVES

The following college representative will be in Student Services. See Mrs. Evans if you need a pass to visit with this representative.

Students that were scheduled in Kate Englekes’ 4th hour study hall on Monday and Friday need to check their schedule for a change in teacher.

Students interested in forming a Mock Trial team please come to Mr. Woolery’s room Wednesday after school.

PSAT/NMSQT sign up is next week. Cost for the test is $16, checks only please, made payable to Ames High School. Students can sign up to take the test before school in the front lobby or during the school day with Mrs. Evans in Student Services. The test will be given at Ames High on Wednesday, October 10th.

The 2017-2018 yearbooks will be available to pick up on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of next week in the main lobby before school, during both lunches, and after school. If you did not purchase one yet, there are still books available to purchase for $55. Cash or check is accepted.

Auditions for the fall play, The Crucible, will be held after school in Mr. Schmidt’s room (#225), next Wednesday, Sept 5th and Thursday, Sept 6th. You should come with a prepared monologue, and you will do a cold reading from the script as well.

Interested in playing lacrosse? Ames Lacrosse is having fall tryout sessions for boys and girls every Thursday and Sunday from Sept. 6th to Oct. 7th at the middle school practice football field from 6 to 7 pm. New and current players are welcome. Equipment will be provided. Register for free at the Ames Lacrosse website.

Students that were scheduled in Kate Englekes’ 4th hour study hall on Monday and Friday need to check their schedule for a change in teacher.

The 2017-2018 yearbooks will be available to pick up on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of next week in the main lobby before school, during both lunches, and after school. If you did not purchase one yet, there are still books available to purchase for $55. Cash or check is accepted.

Auditions for the fall play, The Crucible, will be held after school in Mr. Schmidt’s room (#225), next Wednesday, Sept 5th and Thursday, Sept 6th. You should come with a prepared monologue, and you will do a cold reading from the script as well.

Interested in playing lacrosse? Ames Lacrosse is having fall tryout sessions for boys and girls every Thursdayand Sunday from Sept. 6th to Oct. 7th at the middle school practice football field from 6 to 7 pm.

New and current players are welcome. Equipment will be provided. Register for free at the Ames Lacrosse website: www.amexlax.com

Plus Period ScheduleDuring PlusSeniors – To HomeroomJuniors – To HomeroomSophomores to Cafeteria – To meet with counselorsFreshmen to Auditorium – To meet with administration

Auditions for the fall play, The Crucible, will be held after school in Mr. Schmidt’s room (#225), next Wednesday, Sept 5th and Thursday, Sept 6th. You should come with a prepared monologue, and you will do a cold reading from the script as well.

Interested in playing lacrosse? Ames Lacrosse is having fall tryout sessions for boys and girls every Thursdayand Sunday from Sept. 6th to Oct. 7th at the middle school practice football field from 6 to 7 pm.

New and current players are welcome. Equipment will be provided. Register for free at the Ames Lacrosse website: www.amexlax.com

My transition to the Ames Community School District has been a wonderful experience and living in the Ames community has given me an opportunity to explore all the incredible things this community has to offer. Since my move late June, my calendar has been full of meetings with individual staff and board members, parents, community groups, and community and state leaders in an effort to better understand where we should focus our efforts. These meetings have opened my eyes to the pride that exists within; from the facility upgrades, student activities, staff development opportunities, to the passion and commitment from outstanding educators that serve our community. There is a deep desire from our staff and community to provide unique opportunities for our students.

Shortly after my arrival, I was able to spend some focused time with our administrative team discussing our “why” both individually as well as our district as a whole. One thing that became clear to me was their passion for students while encouraging and supporting every student’s journey. We also discussed areas that need attention in their buildings and at the district level. I can assure you, we all feel a sense of urgency and are committed to building a collaborative environment.

As we begin the year, there is work to be done and with that work will come change. Change takes courage and honesty. I can promise you that I will provide both. On this journey, I will need your support and willingness to embrace a new leadership style. I will be honest and transparent and you will begin to hear us grapple with some difficult topics at the board, district, and building levels. I will work to communicate and be transparent with our work, and together we will address the areas that need to be addressed. It is an exciting time for Ames Community School District and I am honored to be serving as your leader and thankful to call this my home.

On August 18, the Ames High 2017-2018 Girls Swimming & Diving team was awarded National Championship status by the National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association (NISCA).

Coached by Dan Flannery, the Little Cyclone swimmers and divers out paced every other public school in America ranked on class size (enrollment 900-1,400 students) by over 250 points. That is an unprecedented margin and marks the 3rd consecutive year that the Ames High girls team has won this prestigious national title. Ames High girls swim teams have won 7 of the last 8 state team titles, including last year’s competition. …

If you feel you should have parking tag or an open lunch or open campus sticker or Activity sticker on your ID and you do not, please check with the secretary’s in the main office during your free time.

All students should have a student ID. Please see Ian in the media center if you do not have one.

Back to School Night starts with 1st period at 6:15 PM and will be followed by eight 8-minute periods.

ALP AND ELP MEETINGS at 5:45

If you are the parent of a child in ALP or ELP, there will be some meetings prior to the Back to School Night activities.

ALP parents will meet in Rm 18

ELP parents will meet in the Multi-Purpose Room.

Parents can save themselves some time by printing their student’s Open House Schedule from the Infinite Campus portal. The Open House Schedule will also give the times for each period. When on the portal, go to Reports and pick Open House Schedule. Otherwise, parents may wait in line in the front lobby to pick up a copy of their son’s/daughter’s open house schedule.

Parents with more than one student at AHS have found it helpful to have their students’ schedules ahead of time, so they can plan their evening.

Back to School Night gives you the opportunity to trace the path your student(s) have at Ames High. By following an abbreviated schedule of classes, you can meet the teachers and hear an overview of each course. When your student has a study hall or open period, you are invited to the cafeteria where representatives from Iowa State, Iowa, UNI, and DMACC will be available.

KLEENEX REQUEST

AHS would also like to make a request for Kleenex donations. Cold and flu season will soon be upon us and we will have a great need for Kleenex in the classrooms with over 1400 students. Kleenex donations can be dropped off in the main office. Thank you in advance for your Kleenex donation.

Regular School Schedule

For those of you who are new this year, we have a regular schedule that we follow most of the time. which includes the late start every Wednesday. We will be following this regular schedule on Tuesday, Wed, and Thursday of this week. Friday is an Assembly, and you will also see that schedule below as well.

Students, please make sure your use your 5th period class to decide when you eat lunch – it may change from day to day. The schedule is only accurate for the first class listed in 5th period. Double check with your 4th period teacher if you are unsure.

If you feel you should have parking tag or an open lunch/campus sticker or Activity sticker on your ID and you do not, please check with the secretary’s in the main office during your free time.

All students should have a student ID. Please see Ian in the media center if you did not received an ID in homeroom yesterday.